While in the Basics classes, people are learning basic movements and positions as well as much of the terminology. In the advanced classes, we go beyond. In the Basic classes, everyone is mostly just following and copying what they see.

In the advanced tai chi learning path, people start to understand why these basic concepts exist and how to leverage these concepts to be able to move fluently. They’re learning more complex series of movements which challenge their balance and ability to be centred or grounded even when the movements and postures become more intricate and complicated.

As we touched upon in the last blog, the next step in the learning path after the Basics class is choosing either a Yang Style or a Chen Style tai chi forms class.

Tai Chi Forms (or Taolu)

A Tai Chi form is a series of moves that are executed continuously from one move to the next, similar to a choreographed dance routine. A traditional tai chi form will take somewhere between 20 to 30 minutes to complete. At the beginning, you have to learn and remember the sequence of moves in the routine called a form.

Whether you’re good at memorizing or not, there’s more to being able to execute a form than just knowing the order of the movements. Being good at a form whether it’s the Yang Style or Chen Style form, it’s all in the little details of knowing how to shift your centre or dantian. And, at the same time, maintain optimal balance and postural strength with each upcoming movement or stance.

While you are achieving a certain amount of fluency with the moves, learning to apply tai chi concepts begins and continues to deepen with time. Using the choreography of the form, people learn to incorporate tai chi concepts into the movements, starting with the basic concepts then progressively layering on more difficult and complex tai chi principles into the movements. It may take 3 seasons to learn the basic movements of the form but a lifetime to learn and master tai chi concepts and principles.

A form is much like a dance. We can all learn how to achieve a level of competency so we can enjoy the basic form. To master a tai chi form takes years of practice to unleash and have our bodies understand both the art and science of fluid yet powerful movement concepts. The consistent long term practice makes it easier for us to remember movements while staying active and physically fit. And, some people enjoy perfecting a single form as a way of learning and achieving this understanding.

Some people like to explore the different styles of tai chi and understand the unique characteristics of each style, hence learning multiple tai chi forms. There is no rule or set path to learning tai chi. Learn from various forms as well as other advanced classes to continue understanding how to apply the concepts. Follow your heart and take the path that feels right.

Depending on people’s personalities and personal preferences, some like to mix it up to add variety and different challenges which teach us the same concepts from a different perspective.

Push Hands (or Tuishou)

Push Hands is a sparring activity meant to teach us how tai chi principles are applied. Instead of learning a series of movements in a choreographed set, we learn to respond and react to an outside force or a partner. It is a practical application of tai chi skills taught in various forms practice and applying these skills and concepts to interactive live situations where your partner is constantly moving and shifting.

It is about learning to sense the outside forces and becoming aware of other people’s movements. In turn, we learn to become much more aware of our own movements. We’re challenging the practical application of movements we learned in tai chi forms. And, we’re learning new movements as a way to respond to forces applied on us from our classroom partners without losing our own centre of balance.

Most people do not learn tai chi for the purpose of martial arts, therefore learning push hands is not always the first thing that comes to mind. However, it can be an important aspect of the learning path and this class is another part of the path to understanding many of the tai chi principles. Without actual physical contact with another person, it may often be difficult to appreciate some of the nuances of tai chi concepts.

Push hands is a direct path to learning tai chi principles as opposed to learning movements. You can start push hands training after learning the basics but it`s recommended to practice at least one form prior to or concurrently with the push hands class. Alternatively, start by achieving some fluency with a form first before beginning Push Hands.

For those looking to learn the martial aspects of tai chi, push hands is an essential course on the martial arts path within tai chi. And, for those looking to master tai chi, push hands is a necessary practice to achieving a complete understanding of tai chi principles.

Weapons

Incorporating weapons into tai chi practice takes our training to a different dimension. It is difficult enough trying to control our own body to achieve the tai chi principles. Adding an inanimate object extends our physical awareness beyond the length of our arms. People learn to incorporate the movements of the weapons as an extension of our own bodies.

Weapons have a tendency to exaggerate and expose flaws in our posture, balance and other tai chi principles. So it is an excellent means to enhancing tai chi skills while conditioning the physical body and sharpening our mental focus.

Learning one of the tai chi open hand forms for a minimum of 2 years is a pre-requisite for any of the 4 types of weapons classes: spear, sword, broad sword and long pole. In order to extend tai chi principles to a weapon, it is necessary to be fluent with basic tai chi concepts for the physical body first. Without understanding how to access the dantian or how to maintain the physically sturdy bow stances, it becomes impossible to translate tai chi concepts of movement to the weapon being wielded during class.

Without the open hand forms experience, the movements used with the weapon in our hands becomes clumsy and dangerous to others in the class as well as to ourselves. Learning a weapon is both mentally and physically challenging. The physical challenge is obvious as the extra weight of the weapon adds a level of physical work not found in the open hand forms.

A couple of years of open hand form conditioning will ease the transition to the weapons classes. Even the mental focus that is required can be exhausting. Each person has to be vigilant and pay constant attention or the weapon will hurt us or someone else.

Once people are ready, they find that learning a weapon is a lot of fun. The child in us comes out to play all while we learn to master tai chi skills.

Weapons have a tendency to exaggerate and expose flaws in posture, balance and other tai chi principles. Weapons classes are an excellent means to enhancing tai chi skills, conditioning the physical body and sharpening mental focus. All of this while having a lot of fun learning to master tai chi.

The Tai Chi Learning Path

The rich philosophical roots of tai chi bring a wealth of knowledge and principles that can make learning tai chi a life long journey. Each person’s journey is different depending on what we each want to learn of tai chi.

Each person`s learning path is unique to them. After a couple of years of taking steps to master the basics followed by some open hand forms training, people keep it lively and interesting by mixing, matching and even re-learning with deeper perspectives and appreciation.

Personally, I know why tai chi is so beneficial to people and why I enjoy tai chi so much. That’s one of the reasons why I started this blog. However I was curious to know how other people felt about tai chi and the classes we hold here at the studio.

Recently, I sent out a survey to everyone to find out what classes are preferred and what people would like to see happen here at Ji Hong Tai Chi Mississauga specifically. So, it was interesting for me to understand what people enjoy most about tai chi and I thought you might be interested as well.

“I am very self-conscious and I am mindful that I require a lot of time to fully grasp the flow. I focus on my hand or leg and sometimes forget the other physical components to the moves. I feel that I can learn at my level and not feel singled out because of awkwardness with some of the stances. This has really helped me to be enthusiastic about learning.” Donna M. [Oakville]

The Learning Experience by Tai Chi Class

There was not just one overwhelming favourite class amongst everyone. Instead, each person had reasons for enjoying specific classes and for varying reasons, people enjoy different types of tai chi classes too. If you have been eyeing any of the classes and want some insights into what you will learn in these classes, these insights may offer what you need to choose additional tai chi learning experiences.

Tai Chi Basics

Everyone starts with tai chi basics first. Starting here helps people learn the basic movements, a handful of core vocabulary terms and some basic understanding of the significance of these terms and how they influence posture, balance and biomechanics. After this class, each person has the basics to start their own personal training, journey or path. Glad to hear that people do find they have the basics after this class.

Yang Style Tai Chi

This is the most popular form of tai chi. Whenever a video clip or photo of tai chi is shown, it’s typically of people practicing the Yang style of tai chi. Between Yang and Chen styles, Yang is the more graceful looking form, with a range of lengthening and flowing movements. People found that they learned to relax, improve their posture, improve their balance when moving and they were able to de-stress and focus which brought them to a better state of mind.

People who gravitate towards Yang tend to look for health benefits, a focus on artistic expression and enjoy activities that most resemble dancing.

Chen Style Tai Chi

Chen style is the original tai chi form. It is a more physically demanding form of tai chi designed more for the martial artist within. People who enjoy these classes along with the advanced Cannon Fist indicated that the physical nature of this form was one of the aspects they enjoyed. People found Chen style tai chi improves their overall coordination and condition. They find that they learn to access and project their inner strength while remaining relaxed and performing soft movements. People also find that during the Chen classes, they learn more how the moves are applied from a martial arts perspective.

While all forms of tai chi can eventually lead to martial arts, people who gravitate to the Chen style tend to be physically prepared for more demanding movements with a wider range of speed, more demanding coordination and flexibility as well as explosive movements of internal energy.

Weapons

This is an advanced course but we encourage everyone who has a curiosity or passion to join the course. It’s a lot of fun and it’s intended to enhance your sense of using your new found skills. These two quotes say it best:

With weapons, it really makes you more internally aware of your movements and surroundings with the weapon you are holding whether it be sword, sabre or spear. It eventually becomes an extension of your body and you begin to understand the dynamics of what each weapon brings. – Oleh, [Etobicoke]

I learn how to use the spear with the muscles I have not used before. And learning my focus needs more focus, otherwise; the spear will whack on the head or my leg.” – Aree [St. Catherines]

Weapons is not only fun to do but no matter your level of coordination and balance, it will test and challenge both of these skills. When returning to practice Chen style or Yang style, people experience balance, biomechanics and postures with a new found heightened awareness of each. People become more finely attuned to all aspects of movement.

Push Hands

Push hands tests your ability to use your learned movements when there is another person using their weight to tip you off your balance. An even greater understanding of how your body maintains its balance throughout the entire movement and at all moments is tested.

“The most interesting part is feel Taiji ‘Jin’, and trying to do it in a right way”– Kevin [Mississauga]

It’s also not easy to knock someone else over without extending beyond our own centre of gravity. When people first start, it’s easy to lose balance. Over time, as people become more experienced, it’s a game of patience and continually moving with complete centredness and balance in order not to allow our opponent any opportunities to find our lack of balance. It takes patience and great awareness of our bodies to know our own balance and whether the opponents are centred and balanced or off-centre and unbalanced.

Qi Gong Health & Vitality

People have found Qi Gong to be very relaxing. It’s becoming quite a popular course for relaxation and health benefits. Qi Gong works on the meridians of our bodies as understood in Traditional Chinese Meridians to help our bodies remain healthy and stress free.

Some people are asking for more meditative variations of Qi Gong….

Tai Chi Fitness

Various movements are practiced during the fitness class. People find it an extra cardio boost to their weekly work out by adding a couple of classes per week to their regular class. If you’re looking to accomplish a movement which has so far been elusive, this class and the forms class are ideal for helping to practice specific movements repeatedly.

What People Are Saying About Our Teaching Methods and Instructors

One of the core philosophies of our tai chi studio is to encourage each person’s passion for tai chi and encouraging natural teaching skills amongst our senior members to carry on the tradition. Our dedication to teaching tai chi has always been twofold with as much emphasis on teaching as well as knowing tai chi.

Here’s what people told us about our teaching methods:

“I have taken other martial arts before, but I think May is the best instructor I’ve ever had. She’s very patient and I like the way how not only does she show us the techniques but also the theory and reason why a move is done in a certain way. “ – Enrique [Mississauga]

“May is awesome. A keen observer of how the students are moving and making helpful suggestions for improvements adapted to each students current skill level.” – P Morenz [Etobicoke]

“May is very patient and excellent teach. She knows enough to correct movements but understand it won’t be perfect in the beginning” – David C. [Mississauga]

I’m really happy to see that our focus on the teaching of tai chi as much as the tai chi itself makes your experience worthwhile. Your positive reviews are much appreciated.

May’s Insights and Observations about Tai Chi

Let me share some of my thoughts about tai chi. Hopefully, these insights will help you find the right class and offerings that will make your tai chi experience fun and personally rewarding.

Tai Chi for Health

There are many added benefits of learning tai chi. Many people come for specific objectives and then realize they are getting much more than expected. Most people start tai chi for its many health benefits. People continue practicing because after becoming and staying healthier, they discover other challenges. People become engaged in exploring the heights of personal accomplishments and physical competencies over their own bodies which is possible within the art of tai chi.

While gaining these exceptional movement skills, people still continue to improve their health, core strength, balance and posture.

Tai Chi as an Art

If you enjoy expressing yourself through art, then tai chi is perfect as a means to discover yourself and express yourself through movement. The awareness and integration of mind and body, the expression of character and personality through tai chi movement can be very fulfilling.

The forms when executed well are beautiful to watch and also to experience. You can start tai chi at any age and still be able to excel in it. Many other sports, dance or physical activities require starting at a young age to do well. Tai chi is different. You can start at any age and you have a sense of accomplishment even if you start learning tai chi late in life.

Tai Chi to Enhance Athletic Performance

Tai Chi is an excellent complement to other sports, exercise or martial arts. The core principles of posture, balance, relaxation and elasticity in tai chi can enhance your performance in other physical endeavours and activities. We have received a lot of positive feedback from those engaged in other sports like: golf, skating, running, walking, karate, rowing, tennis, etc.

Don’t be fooled by the slow pace. After several months of practice, our tai chi members become stronger and more fit than they would have ever imagined regardless of their initial fitness level on the first day of classes.

Tai Chi as a Martial Art without the Aggression

People can start tai chi at any age because there are few physical limitations. Especially, if you were interested in martial arts as a younger person but never had an opportunity, tai chi is a chance to learn a powerful martial art which is practiced at all ages.

You can build up from a minimum of physical fitness. And, you don’t need aggression or to crush your knuckles regularly to become a martial artist.

In tai chi, aggression is replaced by calmness and mental focus. External physical strength is replaced by inner core strength through postural alignment and balance. Brute force is replaced by sensitivity and elasticity. The skills that make for a good Tai Chi martial artist are the same qualities which we continue to develop as we mature. The potential in each of us is limitless.

Tai Chi is an Experience

The depth of the art is immense. We can learn for a lifetime and still continue to discover new and wonderful nuances of the art. All one has to do is just start. Join us today